Local

Columbia County officials held a workshop to discuss options for the future of mowing services on public roadways, such as here on Country Club Road. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia County officials held a workshop to discuss options for the future of mowing services on public roadways, such as here on Country Club Road. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

County mowing down safety concern

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 5, 2022
County officials plan to use a new approach to handling the county’s roadside mowing issues, which have now become a safety concern, with grass and weeds obscuring the vision of local traffic signs.
Lisa Burnham (far left) address the crowd during the Saint Leo University Lake City Education Center 25th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lisa Burnham (far left) address the crowd during the Saint Leo University Lake City Education Center 25th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday afternoon. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Saint Leo hosts birthday bash at LC campus

TONY BRITT
Friday, August 5, 2022
A local college office got the opportunity to celebrate its 25th birthday. Even amid the sweltering heat, it turned out to be all smiles. Saint Leo University has had a presence on the Florida Gateway College campus for a quarter of a century.
The City of Lake City canceled Friday’s lease negotiation meeting with HAECO Americas. (FILE)

The City of Lake City canceled Friday’s lease negotiation meeting with HAECO Americas. (FILE)

City calls off HAECO meeting

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
The City of Lake City has grounded negotiations with HAECO Americas.
While construction continues at the U.S. Highway 41 and Bascom Norris Drive intersection, traffic will begin using a roundabout pattern today, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

While construction continues at the U.S. Highway 41 and Bascom Norris Drive intersection, traffic will begin using a roundabout pattern today, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Ready for a round: FDOT: Roundabout traffic pattern to begin today at U.S. 41, Bascom Norris

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
It’s roundabout time. The Florida Department of Transportation said it is swapping traffic configuration to a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 41 and Bascom Norris Drive this morning.
Saint Leo will be celebrating 25 years at its Lake City Education Center with an open house today. (FILE)

Saint Leo will be celebrating 25 years at its Lake City Education Center with an open house today. (FILE)

Saint Leo throwing 25-year party

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Let’s get the party started. In celebration of its 25th anniversary in Lake City, Saint Leo’s Lake City Education Center has invited the community to an open house celebration from 5-6:30 p.m.
Columbia County Sheriffs hold a trio of suspects at gunpoint after their vehicle fled a traffic stop following a robbery at a Dollar General Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY CCSO)

Columbia County Sheriffs hold a trio of suspects at gunpoint after their vehicle fled a traffic stop following a robbery at a Dollar General Tuesday afternoon. (COURTESY CCSO)

Robbery suspects quickly nabbed after chase

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Trying to make off with cash from a Dollar General in southwestern Columbia County, three Lake City individuals didn’t get far.

CCSO: Naked burglar caught just a swinging

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
A Branford man might’ve taken the idiom ‘make yourself at home’ at little too literally. William Richard Davis, 43, was arrested Monday morning after authorities say he helped himself to a dip in a victim’s pool before drying himself off au naturel on their porch swing.
Lake City Fire Chief Joshua Wehinger looks at a monitor that was added to a firetruck allowing department drivers to see whats behind the trucks. Backup cameras and monitors were recently added to five of the department’s firetrucks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Lake City Fire Chief Joshua Wehinger looks at a monitor that was added to a firetruck allowing department drivers to see whats behind the trucks. Backup cameras and monitors were recently added to five of the department’s firetrucks. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Backup safety plan: LCFD adds backup cameras to five firetrucks

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
The Lake City Fire Department now has a backup safety plan, literally. LCFD added another safety tool to several of its firetrucks by retrofitting backup cameras on them.
Columbia Clerk of Court Jay Swisher (right) swears in new school board member Cherie Hill ahead of Tuesday’s board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia Clerk of Court Jay Swisher (right) swears in new school board member Cherie Hill ahead of Tuesday’s board meeting. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Hill sworn in to Columbia school board

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
The Columbia County School Board is back to full strength. Cherie Hill, who was appointed to the board by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday afternoon, was sworn in during a brief ceremony Tuesday evening prior to the board’s meeting.
Baskets of donated goods sit in the halls of the American Legion Post 57 ahead of Saturday’s auction. (COURTESY)

Baskets of donated goods sit in the halls of the American Legion Post 57 ahead of Saturday’s auction. (COURTESY)

Christmas comes early for Legion Riders’ event

TONY BRITT
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Although Santa Claus is most famous for making Christmas visits in December, local American Legion Post 57 held a weekend event where the Christmas spirit was flowing during the heat of summer.